The House of Representatives voted 215-214 to advance a revised version of the Republican tax-and-spending bill. The more than 1,000-page legislation, dubbed the "Big, Beautiful Bill," includes an extension of the 2017 tax cuts and makes permanent and expands the Qualified Business Income, or 199A, deduction. A slew of amendments was made before passage, such as an increase in the state and local tax deduction and an accelerated phaseout of clean energy tax credits. The bill now heads to the Senate, where more changes are expected.
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, which previously urged the bill's passage, applauded the House and Speaker Mike Johnson for approving the tax-and-spending bill. NAW CEO Eric Hoplin called it "pro-business, pro-worker legislation," and said its approval is "a win for the people who roll up their sleeves every day to power our economy" and the country's entrepreneurs and their workers. "We urge the Senate to act swiftly and send this bill to the President's desk so America's job creators and workers can keep driving our economy forward," Hoplin said.
HVAC, plumbing and industrial distributor Winsupply is acquiring Fla.-based United Lighting & Supply, a distributor of electrical equipment, lighting and appliances. Based in the Florida Panhandle, United Lighting serves residential, commercial and industrial customers from locations in Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, Destin and Lynn Haven, with its reach extending into southeastern Alabama. The deal is Winsupply's second in less than a month.
Warehouse labor costs are a challenge for logistics leaders amid tight labor availability, changing demand for new skilled labor types and incomplete automation, writes Abdil Tunca, a senior principal analyst with Gartner’s Logistics and Customer Fulfillment. Logistics leaders can address these challenges by empowering their workforce, improving resource utilization and developing a comprehensive automation strategy that reduces manual labor and boosts efficiency, Tunca writes, emphasizing that a performance-driven culture, effective warehouse layouts and strategic automation are key to optimizing costs.
Supply chain leaders should adopt a "Moneyball" approach, similar to what Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane did in the early 2000s, to demonstrate strategic value through data, according to Al Mendoza, business consulting principal at EY. Mendoza notes that most companies still view supply chains as cost centers rather than drivers of growth and innovation. For supply chain leaders to gain strategic influence, they must shift this perception by aligning their functions with the company's growth and innovation strategies.
Trade finance is undergoing a digital transformation, moving from paper-based processes to automation driven by AI and machine learning. Supply chain companies are expanding digital trade credit platforms, and some countries are implementing frameworks to recognize electronic trade documents. The shifts aim to enhance risk management, reduce processing costs and improve regulatory compliance, but traditional instruments like letters of credit remain essential for high-risk transactions.
B2B and B2C marketing are converging, with B2B adopting emotional, human-centered approaches and B2C focusing on long-term relationship building, writes Kobi Ben-Meir, founder of Marketing Trailblazer. Both sectors are leveraging digital engagement, such as influencer marketing and short-form video, to create authentic connections and enhance customer experience.
US business activity improved in May due to a temporary reduction in tariffs from China, according to S&P Global. However, President Donald Trump's tariffs have increased prices for companies and consumers, with input inventories surging to an 18-year high. The S&P Global Composite PMI rose to 52.1, with the manufacturing gauge hitting a three-month high of 52.3 and the services index hitting a two-month high at 52.3.
President Donald Trump has threatened 50% tariffs on EU imports starting next month, citing stalled trade talks, and warned Apple of a 25% levy unless it moves iPhone production to the US. Markets reacted sharply, with European stocks and the dollar falling, while Apple shares dropped over 3% in premarket trading.
Prioritize your organization's greatest asset — your people. NAW's premier education programs, such as the online Management Academy and the in-depth Distribution Leadership Program at THE Ohio State University, are designed to equip your high-potential employees with the skills and insights they need to lead and succeed. Ensure your rising stars are prepared to drive your business forward by investing in their growth today. Learn more about how NAW can help you develop the leaders of tomorrow.
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) is one of America’s leading trade associations, representing the $8 trillion wholesale distribution industry. Our industry employs more than 6 million workers throughout the United States, accounting for approximately 1/3 of the U.S. GDP. 250,000 wholesale distribution companies operate across North America, including all 50 states. Learn more.
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